Skip to content

Camp Slough has turned pink

Citizen reported it to provincial officials and city staff confirmed the waterway appears pink
16278255_web1_pink-slough1
A section of the Camp Slough appears to have turned pink. (Submitted)

A section of the Camp Slough appears to have turned pink.

A resident contacted provincial officials, who then reported that information to City of Chilliwack on April 4, that an unknown substance had been discharged into the slough on Fairfield Island to make it turn a pinkish hue.

City staff went to the site, and conducted a visual inspection on April 4, and water sampling on April 5. They confirmed that the water appeared to have “significant contamination” and looked pink in colour, a city rep said.

The samples, which included liquid that was bright pink, and bright purple, will be sent to a lab for further testing.

Reports were subsequently made to Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the B.C. Ministry of the Environment by city staff, and they are awaiting followup.

The low water situation this spring may have contained the contamination to that section of the slough, staff said, since it didn’t appear to be moving through the waterway.

READ MORE: Work plan for Camp Slough

READ MORE: Hope for restoration


@CHWKjourno
jfeinberg@theprogress.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

16278255_web1_pink-slough-map
The 11-km Camp Slough is on Fairfield Island in Chilliwack.
16278255_web1_pink-slough-discharge-sampling
City of Chilliwack staffer Steve Clegg taking samples of a bright pink liquid discharging from a pipe leading to the Camp Slough.
16278255_web1_copy_pink-slough-discharge-sampling2
City of Chilliwack environmental technician Steve Clegg testing water samples at the Camp Slough.


Jennifer Feinberg

About the Author: Jennifer Feinberg

I have been a Chilliwack Progress reporter for 20+ years, covering the arts, city hall, as well as Indigenous, and climate change stories.
Read more